Ind vs Aus 2018: I would be very surprised if Bhuvneshwar Kumar is picked for 1st Test, says Sanjay Manjrekar

India vs Australia (Ind vs Aus) 2018: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed that he would be left surprised if pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is picked for first Test.

India's Bhuvneswar Kumar&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has become an indespensible member of the Indian cricket team across formats, not just for his bowling, but also because of his ability to bat down the order. In fact, applause on his all-round ability flowed in during his South Africa series while many asked him thoughts about becoming a bowling all-rounder. However, ahead of the impending and anticipating Australia Test series that starts December 6, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed that he would be left surprised if Bhuvneshwar is picked for the first Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Bhuvneshwar played just two Tests in 2018 before injury kept him on the sidelines for the England series while he was rested for the West Indies contest. In South Africa, he picked up 10 wickets in for innings at 20.30. And with the bat, he played two crucial 30-plus knocks with astute patience to script India's memorable Johannesburg win. However, since coming back from injury, Bhuvneshwar, who played just limited-overs cricket, picked up just seven wickets in last 10 games across the two formats.

Manjrekar reckons that the Bhuvneshwar that India witnessed post his injury is less effective and stands behind the capability of fellow seamers - Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. However, he does feel that Bhuvneshwar might fit into the frame at Perth, venue for the second Test.

"Bhuvneshwar would not be in my XI for the first Test, purely because he would find it difficult to dislodge the three seamers who are likely to play in the first Test on current form, fitness, everything. Ishant Sharma was very consistent in England, so he is your perfect third seam option. Jasprit Bumrah is the leader of the attack. Mohammed Shami was pretty impressive in England, so Bhuvneshwar would find it difficult to dislodge these three. Maybe in the second Test, at Perth, he might have an opportunity, but the Bhuvneshwar Kumar we saw in South Africa and the one we are seeing now, post-injury, he is not the same bowler. I would be very surprised if he is picked for the first Test. And after that it depends on the performance of the other three seamers," Manjrekar told ESPN Cricinfo's Cricket Monthly.

When asked about his batting ability, Manjrekar said that with team picking Rishabh Pant at No.7 batsman picking Bhuvneshwar solely for his batting would be unnecesary. "If you have Rishabh Pant batting at No. 7 and you have six pure batsmen, you don't need to pick a bowler because he bats a bit."

Ind vs Aus 2018: I would be very surprised if Bhuvneshwar Kumar is picked for 1st Test, says Sanjay ManjrekarDescription:India vs Australia (Ind vs Aus) 2018: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed that he would be left surprised if pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is picked for first Test.Times Now